Fosun targets Greater Bay Area’s ‘creative’ tourists with Thomas Cook resort on Zhuhai’s Guishan island
- Casa Cook Guishan Island, being developed by Fosun Tourism in partnership with Visun Group, is expected to open in 2023
- The launch is expected to coincide with closer relations between Hong Kong and Zhuhai
Chinese conglomerate Fosun International has chosen Guishan island in Zhuhai for a boutique hotel that will target, among others, creative tourists from Hong Kong. The launch will coincide with improving ties between the two cities, which are part of Beijing’s Greater Bay Area development zone.
Casa Cook Guishan Island will be developed by Fosun Tourism, the leisure business of the conglomerate, which is chaired by billionaire Guo Guangchang. It will partner with Visun Group, the organiser of the country’s biggest yacht show, on the project, which is expected to open in 2023. Visun owns the property and land, while Casa Cook will operate the hotel.
“Tourists usually transit in Zhuhai on their way to Macau and Hong Kong. With Casa Cook Guishan Island – which we hope becomes an Instagram and WeChat check-in spot – these tourists, most of them big spenders, will hopefully stay longer in Zhuhai,” said Katharine Wang, the general manager of Casa Cook.
Casa Cook, a new hotel brand under Thomas Cook, was launched in 2015. It is aimed at younger tourists and focuses on services such as yoga and meditation, as well as local culture. It operates two hotels currently, one each in Greece and Egypt. Another will be launched in Greece next year and Casa Cook Guishan Island will be its fourth destination.
The company is betting on the bay area plan, which aims to attract a new breed of tourist to Zhuhai, with its natural beauty and marine resources.
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“[The concept of holidays] is still in its early stages in China. We have a vast network of business hotels in the country. But with the rise of a young middle class, who could be foodies, creators, trekkers and beach buffs, a more creative way of relaxing and holidaying will be in demand,” Wang said.
